Albaugh Gly Star Plus Herbicide (2.5 Gallons) Glyphosate Con
✅ PROS
- Full 41% glyphosate concentration matches name-brand Roundup at roughly half the per-gallon cost
- 2.5-gallon jug mixes to 85+ gallons of finished spray — enough to cover 1–2 acres
- Non-selective systemic action kills weeds to the roots, including tough perennials like poison ivy and bermudagrass
❌ CONS
- No surfactant included — you'll need to buy a separate wetting agent for waxy-leaf weeds
- Jug has no measuring cap or pump; you'll want a graduated container and transfer pump for accurate mixing
- Heavy at 22+ pounds when full — plan your storage space before ordering
The Verdict
Let me skip the pleasantries: if you’re paying name-brand prices for glyphosate concentrate, you’re burning money. The Albaugh Gly Star Plus 2.5-gallon jug delivers the exact same active ingredient — 41% glyphosate, isopropylamine salt — as the big orange bottle, at roughly half the cost per ounce. That’s the headline. Here’s whether it actually holds up.
What’s in the jug
You get one 2.5-gallon (320 fl oz) container of amber liquid concentrate. That’s it — no measuring cup, no surfactant, no sprayer. At the standard 2.5 oz per gallon of water mix rate for general weed control, this makes about 128 gallons of finished spray. For spot treatment at 1.5 oz/gallon, you’re looking at over 200 gallons. If you’re managing a one-acre property or a long fence line, this is a season’s worth of weed control in a single jug.
Real-world performance
Gly Star Plus is a non-selective systemic herbicide — it kills anything green it touches, roots included. The 41% concentration is the key spec here; it matches Roundup Original’s formulation exactly. On established weeds like dandelion, thistle, and bindweed, you’ll see yellowing within 5–7 days and full die-back in 2–3 weeks. For annual grasses, it’s faster — often visibly wilting within 48 hours.
One thing I’ve learned from buyer feedback: this stuff works best when you follow the label’s mixing instructions precisely. Several reviewers noted that skimping on the ratio to “save product” just means partial kills and regrowth. One buyer put it plainly: “Mixed at 2.5 oz per gallon as directed, it wiped out my entire overgrown back lot in one pass. I tried diluting it more for the second round and regretted it.”
The surfactant catch
Here’s the honest tradeoff. Glyphosate needs a surfactant to penetrate waxy leaf surfaces on weeds like poison ivy, English ivy, and mature broadleafs. Most name-brand concentrates have a surfactant already blended in. Gly Star Plus does not — you’ll need to add a non-ionic surfactant (about $10–15 for a bottle that lasts years) for toughest weeds. For soft-stemmed annuals and general grass control, you won’t notice the difference. For woody or waxy perennials, skip the surfactant and you’ll get partial control.
What buyers consistently praise
Across 240 ratings at 4.8 stars, three themes dominate. First, value: “This is the same chemical as the $80-per-gallon stuff, just without the marketing budget.” Second, effectiveness on tough weeds: multiple reviewers mention it killing poison ivy and blackberries that survived other herbicides. Third, shelf life — the concentrate stores well for 2+ years if kept from freezing, so bulk buyers aren’t wasting money.
Where it falls short
Beyond the missing surfactant, the packaging is functional but basic. The 2.5-gallon jug has a plain screw cap — no measuring marks, no pour spout. You’ll need a dedicated measuring cup and ideally a transfer pump, because pouring from a 22-pound jug without spilling is a two-person job. Small complaints, but worth knowing before it arrives.
Also note: this is a professional-grade concentrate. If you only need to treat a small backyard or occasional driveway cracks, a 32-ounce ready-to-spray bottle makes more sense. You won’t use 2.5 gallons before it degrades.
Who should buy this
- Rural property owners managing acreage, fence lines, or pasture edges
- Landscapers and lawn pros who burn through herbicide weekly
- Anyone with established perennial weed infestations (poison ivy, bindweed, Canadian thistle) that need root-kill
- Cost-conscious buyers who don’t mind mixing their own spray
Skip it if you only need occasional spot treatment, or if you’re not comfortable measuring and mixing chemicals.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is this the same as Roundup? A: Chemically, the active ingredient is identical — 41% glyphosate as the isopropylamine salt. It’s a generic equivalent. The difference is no added surfactant and no fancy packaging.
Q: How much area does 2.5 gallons cover? A: At the standard 2.5 oz per gallon mix rate, you get 128 gallons of spray. A backpack sprayer at 20 gallons per acre covers roughly 6 acres of spot treatment, or 1–2 acres of broadcast application.
Q: How long until I see results? A: Visible wilting in 3–5 days on annuals, 7–14 days on perennials. Full root kill takes 2–3 weeks. Don’t mow or till treated areas for at least a week after application.
The verdict
Buy it if you need serious volume at a serious discount and don’t mind adding your own surfactant. Skip it if you’re a casual user who wants grab-and-go simplicity. At 4.6/5, this is the smart buy for anyone maintaining significant property — just budget for the surfactant and a measuring cup.
Rating: 4.6/5 — Knocking off half a star for the missing surfactant and basic packaging. The chemistry is spot-on.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.